A Guide for the Self-Funded Study Abroad Process:
- Research, Research, Research
- Narrowing Down When and Where
- Figuring Out Your Finances
- Applying to a Foreign University
- Applying for a Visa
- Finding Accommodation
- Booking Your Ticket
- Packing
- Settling in and Adjusting
- Succeeding at School
- Having Fun and Getting Involved
- Travelling While Abroad
While most of the information provided is similar if you are doing an exchange semester at your current university, this guide will focus mainly on students that are applying to transfer or attend a foreign university as a full-time self-funded student.
I decided to focus on this as this is how I came to study at the Robert Gordon University. There wasn’t a lot of guidance available during my application process and at times it was frustrating. I’m hoping that this guide can help people in the same place I was when I started my study abroad journey.
If you are studying abroad through your home university you won’t have to worry about the application or visa process. You will most likely have an advisor from your school to help you through this process.
Research, Research, Research
In the first phase of study abroad, it either seems like the most exciting thing ever or the most intimidating. You’re wondering if you would be accepted to a school abroad and if you can you pay for it. Studying abroad is not easy and is not cheap as a self-funded transfer student. But with a lot of determination and some guidance you can make it happen!
Research is probably the most important phase of study abroad. It’s where you realize all of the questions you have and find where you can get your answers. I have listed a few questions you will want to figure out early on. You will want to start doing some general research before you get too overwhelmed with all the details. A lot of planning and prep goes into relocating abroad for a year. See some questions to consider below:
- What country do you want to study in?
- What universities have the degree program you are looking for?
- Do you want to live in a major city or a smaller city?
- Do you need to speak another language to study or live there?
- How much would the tuition be at the universities on your short list? (Remember to look at international student rates.)
- Are there scholarships that could cover your tuition costs?
- What would life be like in that city? (Look for personal accounts or expat bloggers online!)
- How easy is it to travel to other places from that city?
- How is the cost of living in that city? Is it student friendly?
- What is the climate like?
Check out my blog post: Resources for Studying Abroad to find where you can get answers to your questions!
Narrowing Down When and Where:
How to Decide Where
This is a very important step in the process. The sooner you decide where you want to study, the easier it will be. You don’t have to choose a university yet, but I recommend choosing at least the country or city.
For me, that part was easy. I needed somewhere that spoke English. I am learning Spanish but I’m no where near the point where I can talk or fully comprehend another language. This helped to narrow my choice. My contenders where Ireland, Scotland, or England.
After you have decided a country, check to see if they have scholarship programs for international students. Some European countries have funds set up to attract international students.
My deciding factor for location was actually a transfer program. It allowed me to transfer all my technical college credits to a sister college in Scotland. For transferring, I also received a scholarship! Ask if your college has a sister college or university abroad!
How to Decide When
The next big step is deciding when you could realistically study there. I gave myself two years to prepare for studying abroad. I knew I had to finance it myself and it would be a lot of work. Another thing that I considered was that once I completed my associate degree it would be easier to transfer to complete my bachelor’s.
You will also want to decide if you want to start in the January semester or the September semester. If possible, I recommend the September start as that’s when the year starts for all the other students. That way you can take advantage of welcome events!
Once you have narrowed down when and where, you will want to start researching the visa process for that country. The best source of information for this is on the government website of that country.
Visas often need to be applied for far in advance. You will need to know what is required for the application and when the deadline is. By knowing what I had to have prepared, I was able to figure out my first steps in the process.
While you are narrowing things down, narrow down your list of universities to your top two or three choices. Once you have these selected, make yourself a pros and cons list for each location. Be sure to check out the cost of living in each place. This should keep you busy for a while so try to enjoy the research phase! This could be where you are living in no time at all!
Figuring Out Your Finances
Organizing finance for your year abroad is by far the biggest barrier you will face. I was so worried about my application and getting my visa. In the end the deciding factor of my application was: do you have the necessary funds available to support you during your studies? Aka: Do you have enough money?
How Much Moolah Do You Need?
For your year abroad you will have to cover tuition, accommodation, and living expenses. During the visa stage, you will find the exact amount you will be required to have for your time abroad. But it is best to start saving as soon as possible. Save money, make extra money, and apply for those scholarships.
My Finance Situation
I did everything I could think of to save. I cut down my expenses, worked extra hours, got another job, applied for every scholarship I could find, and sold things I didn’t need anymore. One of the first things I did was cut spending money on everything that wasn’t groceries or rent.
About a year before I went, I also got a roommate to cut my rent in half. In the end after working 2 jobs, while going to school full-time, and saving every cent I could, I was able to save around $6,000 dollars. But I needed $10,000 for living expenses and the $6,000 I saved went directly towards my tuition deposit.
Paying that nonrefundable tuition deposit was the most terrifying step of the process. After I made the tuition deposit, I had nothing left in my account. I couldn’t possibly save $10,000 more dollars in the next 4 months.
Last Resort: Take Out Student Loans
Thankfully, I was able to get a loan for the remainder of my expenses. However, I had to convince my mom to cosign for me. That was the only way I would be approved for a loan*. She was very adamant in the beginning that if I wanted to do this, I had to make it happen. In the previous months she had seen me working towards this and in the end, she agreed to help. She did made it clear that I would be solely responsible for paying off the loan afterwards.
After that, four months flew by. Before I knew it, I was getting on a plane to a place I’d never been knowing that I’d be there for a year. It was exhilarating and terrifying.
While the finances side of studying abroad may be terrifying, it is so worth the investment in the long run. My year abroad was the best year of my life. It was a year of trying new things, meeting new people, and seeing so many amazing places. When you are struggling through financing your year abroad remember why you are doing it.
For some finance help, check out my blog post on: Ways to Save and Make Money for Study Abroad.
*As a US Student I was able to use Federal Student Loans. If you are not from the US, I would recommend finding government or industry scholarships. These could be from your country or the country you aim to study in.
Applying to a Foreign University
This step always seems intimidating. The university application itself isn’t overly difficult. In the UK, there is a program called UCAS. UCAS allows you to apply to up to 5 universities with one application.
Instead of using this program I opted to apply directly to the international admissions team at RGU. The university application was sent via email to me by an international student support team member at the university. By applying directly, I was also able to hear back on my application a little faster.
What Do I Need for My Application?
For my application to the Robert Gordon University, I had to: write a personal statement, fill out an admission application, gather 3 reference letters, send in course transcripts, send a CV/resume and send personal identification. (A CV is essentially a European resume. There are different formats and rules than with a US resume, but my US resume was accepted with no questions.)
In the US, there are entrance essays, and this is kind of the same thing as a personal statement. A personal statement should say: who you are, what degree program and why you want to pursue it, and why you want to study at the university. So essentially, it’s a standardized entrance essay.
My Application & Advice
I wrote my personal statement over 3 times. Each time completely crossing out sections I had written. I was so worried that the personal statement would be the deciding factor of my application. But in reality, I had references and transcripts to back up my application.
In the US, I had good grades but was still worried about being accepted. In reality, I really shouldn’t have been so worried. I would spend a good amount of time on your personal statement but don’t obsess over it.
I did utilize the resources from UCAS when writing my personal statement. There have easily digestible videos about what to include and how to write a personal statement. Remember to do a final grammar check before submitting it!
Applying for a Visa
Depending on the country you are applying to study in, this process can be extremely detailed and difficult. I would read the visa requirements thoroughly and ensure you meet the application standards. The first step in applying for a UK visa is to get ‘sponsored’ by a university. This just means you have been accepted and invited to study at the university. Once you are sponsored by a university, the visa process is a lot easier.
For a UK Tier 4 Student Visa you will need:
Basic Overview
When applying to study in the UK, you must pay a visa fee and a healthcare surcharge for the application. This is for visas over 6 months long. The healthcare surcharge gives you access to the NHS (National Health Service). As part of the UK application, I was required to get a biometric residence permit. This served as my identification while in the UK.
There are some ways to speed up the visa application process. This could include paying for an expedited application. I was bound to study abroad budget style and didn’t have extra money to spend on the expedited process. If the visa process is too difficult to navigate, there are specialists that you can pay to help you.
What I Didn’t Like About the Process
One thing I didn’t like about the application was that I had to send in my identification documents. My passport and birth certificate were sent away and this made me nervous. I was relieved when I received them back via courier as I was required to pay the courier fee.
Once you complete your visa application, it can take a long time to hear back. I believe I waited over a month to hear but I knew others who waited twice as long.
Finding Accommodation
This step can be difficult for international students. You most likely haven’t been to visit the university you are going to attend. You don’t really know the city other than the google maps version. Which if I’m being honest, I fake walked around most of the city using google maps many times. I was just so excited to go there. It wasn’t a total waste of time as I found the closest grocery store and coffee shop to my flat. Which actually came in handy when I didn’t have any phone service the first week.
There are always different options of housing as a student. Some include university housing, independent student housing, and independent flat rentals. I would recommend checking out the university’s website to look at the university housing and for local student housing companies that they work with. This is how I found my accommodation.
What I Did
I chose to stay at an independent student housing site because it came with a private bathroom. It also had a reasonable monthly rate. I also interviewed for a position with ResLife, which was a student support network. When I accepted the volunteer position, I received a discount on rent to live in a specified student hall. That way I would be available to students there. (Another way I stretched my budget. I found the position listed in a Facebook group!)
With university housing and independent student housing, most of the time, the flats will come furnished. This is super important if you are packing all your things for the year in one suitcase. Sometimes you can get a good deal on an independent flat. But remember with that you would have to furnish it and pay utility bills.
Student housing is also a way of feeling more connected to the university and other students in the city. To make settling in easier on you, I would recommend using university housing or independent student housing.
Deciding Where to Live
Another factor to consider when choosing housing is where you want to be in the city. I was able to find a friend who was studying in Aberdeen online to ask a bunch of questions to. I made sure to ask where in the city I should stay. The campus was a ways out of the city centre. My bus ride to campus ended up being about 45 minutes one way on the city bus.
My decision was between staying in the city centre with shops, restaurants, and clubs, or staying on the idyllic campus next to the riverside. Part of me wanted to choose the calm, close-to-campus location. However, I knew that I wouldn’t be as social if I had to take a bus into town.
I’m so thankful for my friend’s input as she was completely right. Being in the city centre really made living in the city enjoyable. I could walk to almost any shop or restaurant! I also got to enjoy all of the beautiful architecture in the city.
My year abroad was about stepping out of my comfort zone and I’m so glad I did. My advice is to do some research before choosing your accommodation. Ask around and make sure it’s where you want to be. Your accommodation location can change your whole experience!
Booking Your Ticket
Once you have been approved for your visa booking your ticket is the most exciting part! Booking your ticket means you are officially going! You’ve done it and now you get to the nitty gritty details.
If you are going for an entire year, you will have some baggage. Make sure to add it when booking your tickets to avoid last minute expenses. You will also want to communicate with your accommodation to check when you will be allowed to officially move in.
As for actually booking your ticket, I would shop around a bit to get the best price. Don’t be afraid to get connecting flights on your way there. The direct flights to where you are studying may be extremely expensive or nonexistent.
Looking for The Best Ticket Prices
For my study abroad in Scotland, I was able to get a flight Chicago to London. Then fly up to Aberdeen the next morning. I found Skyscanner is great for finding cheap flights, especially in Europe. In the past I have also found great deals buying directly through the airline.
I religiously book Norwegian Air when flying Chicago to London. As they have regularly scheduled flights that typically make prices more consistent and affordable. I am always able to find great prices and the newer Norwegian Air planes are so nice! I’ve also seen decent prices on Iceland Air or Aer Lingus but haven’t personally flown with either yet.
When you book your flight make sure to check out their baggage policy. You’ll want to know that your suitcase is the right size or if you’ll need to find another before packing. I recommend finding the lightest suitcase you can to make sure you can pack everything you need.
Packing
If you’re looking for help packing for study abroad, the odds are that you’ve made it! You’ve been accepted and you’ve booked you ticket! Now for the fun part: preparing for your trip. You will have to pack everything you need for a whole year which sounds overwhelming.
When I booked my accommodation for study abroad, I was able to find a place that came furnished. It also had an en suite(private) bathroom and had free wifi. Even though it was furnished, I knew I would have to buy towels, linens, and kitchenware on arrival. I couldn’t possibly fit those all in my suitcase on the way over.
What I Packed
I focused on packing clothes, shoes, and things I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to find there. Honestly, I can barely remember what I packed that wasn’t clothes. I do remember I packed my yoga mat and a winter jacket though. Those took up some space.
I did a pretty decent job packing as I wore almost all of the clothes I brought. I did end up buying a bunch of new clothes though. Which meant having to sacrifice some of my old clothes at the end to make space in my suitcase. When packing I was optimistic that I would, for some reason, dress nicer than I did while living in Wisconsin.
What I Would Do Differently
It was true for the most part, but I should have packed some thicker lounging clothes. Man I was freezing. All. The. Time. The climate wasn’t all that different from home but the flat I was living in had some poor insulation. My heater was also on a timer so I couldn’t control it.
Anyways the lesson is: pack nice clothes but also pack comfy cozy lounge clothes. I would also pack slippers and a fuzzy robe. Those would have kept me warm, but I didn’t really think I would need them.
You Don’t Have To Pack Everything
When you are going packing, I would keep a list of things you will have to buy when you arrive. My list included: Bedding, towels, kitchen things like plates, bowls, cups, and silverware, soap for my bathroom, groceries, and a phone sim card.
I was lucky enough to have flat mates that had community pots and pans for the flat to share. One thing I made sure to pack was a reusable shopping bag. In Scotland, they charge per plastic shopping bag you use.
Settling in and Adjusting
Settling in when you study abroad is the easy part. You have a checklist of things you have to do to settle like: make you bed, put away your clothes, go grocery shopping, stop by the university to register for classes. The more difficult part is adjusting to the new place.
You are in a new city and submersed in a new culture. People around you are talking with accents you are struggling to understand. Even though they are speaking English they have accents and use phrases you’ve never heard before. It can be confusing at first but as time goes on the accents won’t sound so strong.
You’ll come across things as simple as a faucet that you can’t figure out because its just different. Don’t worry you only have to learn that once! Adjusting takes some time but before you know it these things will start to feel more familiar.
Friends Make Adjusting Easier
When you are going through these basic daily things, it’s easier when you have a friend. My first friend in Scotland was my flatmate Monica. She was so nice and welcoming right from the beginning. She even taught me how to turn on the shower because I couldn’t figure it out. I did have a little trouble understanding her in the beginning due to her fast speaking Spanish accent. But after a couple weeks I could understand her without asking “what did you say?” every other sentence.
No matter how self-sufficient you are, you will need to have a friend who can help you through these unique struggles. It’s also a long year if you don’t make any friends. After you get settled in, most of the universities host freshers events. These are events for first year students or for people new to the university. There will be events ranging from club nights to café meet ups and everything in between.
Most of these events are free and made so you can easily meet new people. Even if you don’t know anyone going to the events, you should definitely go. Most of the people there are in the same situation as you. They are new to the university and are looking to meet people. I highly recommend going to at least a couple events as it will make adjusting and settling in easier.
Succeeding at School
When you are used to studying in your home country, the switch to a new education system can be hard. It’s not that the course content is harder, but it could be your lecturer’s accent, unfamiliar words, or just a different course structure.
It will also take some time to get used to what teachers expect of you. Coming from the US, I was used to having a very interactive style of education. Teachers asked questions and you’re expected to answer them in class and discuss the topics in depth. That was not the case in most of my lectures in Scotland.
The Course Structure at RGU
The classes in my program at RGU were broken up into lectures and tutorials. In lectures, we listened to a presentation and then left once it was over. In tutorials, coursework was assigned but it wasn’t graded. The goal for the lectures and tutorials was to help with comprehension of the material. Not necessarily to earn points towards your final grade.
For my first semester, my course grades were dependent upon one exam at the end of the semester. I had never been in a course like this and now I was in four of them. No coursework just exams. I definitely noticed that the people around me were tense come exam time. This isn’t how every program is but for my international business degree we had exam-only courses the first semester.
In the second semester, I had a class graded on coursework, a class graded on project group work, and a class graded off an exam. The project group based course was most similar to the type of studying I was used to in the US.
Depending on where you are choosing to study abroad, your situation could be the same or it could be the opposite. I kind of assumed that once I got to Scotland I could just throw myself into my studies. But it turned out that I didn’t have any assignments to work on. Instead I focused on seeing as much of Scotland as I could and learning about Scottish culture!
Ask Questions & Pay Attention
Anyways, the take away from this section is that in the beginning of your classes you need to pay attention. Review the course syllabus and see what you will be graded on. It could be a very different structure than you’re used to.
One of the most important things to do is to ask about how the final exams are assessed and what type of responses your teachers expect. I highly recommend asking for some sample questions or past exam papers to practice your responses.
As an international student, don’t be afraid to email your lecturers and ask them questions. I made a point to ask my lecturer’s questions on the first day for an excuse to introduce myself. By doing this I was beginning to build my support network.
Having Fun and Getting Involved
Like I stated previously making friends is super important in the beginning because you most likely don’t know anybody. Now that you’ve settled in and have done some adjusting to your new city, it’s time to have fun! Grab some friends, go out for the night, and make some memories! There’s no time like the present.
One of my favorite things about being in ResLife was going on different day trips. They did little side trips all over. I went to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, and Peterhead, all on trips through ResLife. If you aren’t planning on being a member of a student group you should at least take advantage of the free fun activities they plan!
Even though I was a student at Robert Gordon University, I went on trips through the University of Aberdeen too. Both of the universities allowed any student in the city to be involved in their student activities.
In the US, we have clubs and sports teams, but in the UK, they had societies and sports clubs. No matter what they are called you should check out a couple. You don’t have to join a bunch of them but see what they have to offer. Who knows, you might really enjoy yourself.
There are usually activities fairs where clubs and societies can set up booths to show what they are about. I highly suggest checking out the fair. You usually get some free stuff! Like student discount cards!
Travelling While Abroad
I really wanted to travel in Europe during my study abroad. The UK was the perfect home base for my travels. With discount flights and rail passes, travelling the UK and European countries was easy and affordable. During the first semester, I didn’t do a ton of travelling but I did manage to do a weekend trip to Italy.
The only other places I traveled during the first semester were within Scotland. I did a lot of little side trips to different Scottish cities. Then, I went home to the US for Christmas. During the January break I went on a girls trip to Eastern European countries. Then I did some more travelling around Scotland when my mom came to visit me!
When the second semester started, I worked out a list of places I really wanted to see and made those places a priority. I did a trip to Dublin then my boyfriend came to visit and we visited Paris and Barcelona. Overall, I managed to visit 8 countries in the academic year I was in Scotland.
To read more about my travels check out: Where I Have Traveled So Far!
A Final Note:
No matter what you do while you’re studying abroad, do it with an open and accepting mind. Try new foods, take a weekend trip, truly make the most of your time because it will fly by. Then you’ll be like me an entire year after you get back still yearning for more time living abroad.
As always, if you have any questions about study abroad or anything else feel free to email me! My email is sarahelizabethmanagement@gmail.com
